Flosser with motor integrated with vibrating head

ABSTRACT

A power toothbrush including a handle and a brush head with bristles. In one embodiment, the toothbrush includes vibratory means for causing the brush head and the bristles to vibrate, and vibration isolation means for reducing the transfer of vibrations from the vibratory means to the handle. The vibratory means can include an eccentric motor positioned in the brush head or the brush shaft of the toothbrush. Vibration dampening material can be included in the vibration isolation means to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. 119, of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/261,515 entitled “Toothbrushwith Motor Integrated with Vibrating Head,” filed Jan. 12, 2001, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a powered toothbrush, and more specificallyrelates to a powered toothbrush having a vibrating toothbrush headisolated from the main handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, electric toothbrushes include a motor in the handle whichdrives a motion-creating mechanism, which in turn causes the toothbrushhead to vibrate during use. The vibration of the head enhances thecleaning of one's teeth.

Often times, however, the vibration caused by the motor not onlyvibrates the brush head, but also vibrates the handle. Some users areannoyed by large vibrations of the handle. In addition, excessivevibration of the handle is an indication of an inefficient drive systemwhich expends energy to drive not only the brush head but also thehandle.

It is with these shortcomings in mind that embodiments of the inventionhave been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of one embodiment of the invention, disclosedherein is a toothbrush which includes a handle, a brush shaft, a brushhead with bristles, vibratory means for causing the brush head and thebristles to vibrate, and vibration isolation means for reducing thetransfer of vibrations from the vibratory means to the handle.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a toothbrushincludes a vibratory source (i.e., a motor) located in or near the brushhead, and in order to reduce vibrations in the handle of a toothbrush,the portion of the toothbrush which contains the vibratory source isvibrationally isolated from the rest of the structure of the toothbrush.

In one embodiment, the brush head and brush shaft are vibrationallyisolated from the handle by positioning the vibration isolation meansbetween the vibratory means and the handle. In this embodiment, thevibratory means can be located anywhere along the brush shaft, or in thebrush head.

In another embodiment, the vibratory source is located inside the brushhead such that the vibratory source and brush head are vibrationallyisolated from the brush shaft and the handle. Alternatively, thevibratory source is located inside the brush head such that thevibratory source and brush head are vibrationally isolated from thebrush shaft and handle by locating an isolation structure at the brushshaft/handle intersection.

In addition, the brush shaft, which generally extends between the handleand the brush head, could be a flexible member which forms the vibrationisolation structure between the brush head and motor from the shaft.

In one embodiment, the motor is driven by electricity supplied from abattery positioned in the handle. The battery can be replaceable orrechargeable. Wires may run from the battery through the handle, throughan on/off switch, through the brush shaft, and to the location where themotor is located in order to supply the motor with electricity.

The features, utilities and advantages of the various embodiments of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of embodiments of the invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a toothbrush, in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the handle portion of atoothbrush, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 13, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side section view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 13, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the motor shaft of a toothbrush,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the motor shaft illustrated in FIG. 8, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the motor shaft illustrated in FIG. 8, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the motor shaft illustrated in FIG. 8, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a side section view taken along line 12-12 in FIG. 10, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged section view of the isolation structure in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a side section view of a toothbrush, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of a toothbrush, in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the end cap of a toothbrush, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the end cap of FIG. 22, inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a motor shaft cap, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a front view of a brush head cover, in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a side section view taken along line 26-26 in FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 illustrates a flossing tip and head which may be used with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein, in one embodiment, is a toothbrush with vibratorymeans that cause the toothbrush head to vibrate, and a vibrationisolation structure for isolating from the toothbrush handle thevibrations caused by the vibratory means.

Generally and as shown in the example of FIG. 3, an isolation structureor joint 18 is located between the vibratory means (in one example, amotor 24 located within brush shaft 12) and the handle 4. The isolationstructure 18 allows the portion of the toothbrush that includes thevibratory means to move in a vibrating manner independent of the handleor portions of the toothbrush on the side of the isolation structureopposite from the vibratory means. The purpose of isolation structure 18is to reduce, modify, minimize, or attenuate the amount of vibrationfelt in handle 4 caused by the vibratory means 24 vibrating in brushshaft 12 (or elsewhere), while permitting the brush shaft 12 and thebristles 16 to move or vibrate.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the exterior of one embodiment of atoothbrush 2 is shown. Toothbrush 2 includes a handle 4, an end cap 6attached to one end of the handle, and a brush shaft 12 attached to anend 8 of the handle opposite the end cap 6. A brush head 14 is attachedto the end of the brush shaft 12, and bristles 16 extend outwardly froma surface of the brush head 14. Brush shaft 12 and brush head 14 may beintegrally formed. The brush shaft 12 is attached to handle 4 about amotor shaft 28 (FIG. 3) connected at isolation structure 18, in oneexample. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, a slight gap orannular spacing 20 is defined around the isolation structure 18 betweenthe brush shaft 12 and handle 4 to allow brush shaft 12 to move withrespect to handle 4 in a vibratory manner.

FIG. 3 is a representational cross-sectional view of one embodiment oftoothbrush 2 and shows the internal mechanisms thereof. As illustratedin FIG. 3, a battery 10 is positioned inside handle 4. The batterysupplies energy to vibratory means located in the brush head via wireleads 23 a,b. The base or end cap 6 is attached to an end of the handle4 to hold the battery inside the handle. End cap 6 can be taken offhandle 4 to allow the battery 10 to be replaced. End cap 6 also may actas an on/off switch to control the actuation of the motor 24.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4, brush shaft 12 attaches to an opposite end 26 ofhandle 4 about motor shaft 28 positioned inside brush shaft 12. Bristletufts 16 are attached to brush head 14 in a known manner.

FIGS. 5-7 show handle 4 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. Generally, handle 4 is hollow and cylindrically shaped with asmaller diameter top end 26 and large diameter bottom end 8, in oneexample. Handle 4 defines an open lower end 8 which has a slightlylarger diameter than an open upper end 26. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, axialrecess 22 is formed within handle 4 from top end 26 to bottom end 8.Axial recess 22 is used to hold the battery 10 or other power source andacts as a conduit for the electrical wire leads which are connectedbetween power source 10 and vibratory means 24 located elsewhere in thetoothbrush.

In FIG. 6, adjacent the top end 26 of handle 4 on inside walls 54 ofhandle 4 are annular grooves 52 for receiving O-rings 50 (FIG. 4)positioned about a portion of motor shaft 28. As described furtherbelow, a protrusion 86 (FIGS. 5-7) extends from top open end 26 ofhandle 4 for ensuring that motor shaft 28, brush shaft 12 and handle 4are properly oriented together.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6-7, depending on the type of end cap 6 used, theinterior walls of the handle 4 adjacent the bottom end 8 may includedetents or threads for releasably securing the end cap to the bottom endof the handle. The front face of handle 4 may also include either anopening or a depressed area 90. The opening or depressed area may act asa recessed area adapted to a user's thumb, or may be configured as acontrol button for the device in another embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, the brush shaft 12 is positioned aboutmotor shaft 28 which is connected with open upper end 26 of handle 4.The brush shaft defines a housing which may be cylindrical and includesa closed upper end and open bottom end. The upper end of the motor shaft28 is received within the open bottom end of the brush shaft. Vibratorymeans 24, such as a motor, are retained within the upper end of themotor shaft 28, in one example.

More specifically, open upper end 26 of handle 4 is attached to brushshaft 12 through motor shaft 28. Isolation structure 18 is formed at theregion between open top end 26 of handle 4 and bottom end 44 of motorshaft 28.

In FIG. 3, brush shaft 12 forms a housing along most of its length up tobrush head 14. Towards an end 30 of brush head 14, brush shaft 12 slimsdown to allow for convenient manipulation of brush head 14 in the user'smouth.

Motor shaft 28 is received within brush shaft 12. Motor shaft 28 isgenerally long and cylindrical in shape with a cylindrical cavity orbare 42 extending from one end 44 to the other 46 (FIG. 12). As shown inFIG. 4, one end 44 of motor shaft 28 is constructed to insert into opentop end 26 of handle 4 to connect motor shaft 28 which forms isolationjoint 18. The other end 46 of motor shaft 28 defines a motor receivingcavity 48 for secure placement of vibratory means 24.

FIGS. 8-12 show one example of motor shaft 28. Motor shaft 28 defines atop end 46 and a bottom end 44. Referring to FIG. 12, a bore 42 runsaxially through top end 46 to bottom end 44. As shown in FIG. 3, theelectrical wires 23 a,b between the power supply 10 and motor 24 runthrough this axial bore 42. In FIG. 12, the bore also defines a cavity48 for receiving vibratory means such as an eccentric motor. In at leastone embodiment, the interior walls of the motor receiving cavity 48include detents protrusions 49 for securing the motor within the cavity48.

Bottom end 44 of motor shaft 28 is adapted to be attached to open topend 26 of handle 4. Bottom end 44 of motor shaft 28 defines axiallyextending fingers 60 that help engage bottom end 44 of motor shaft 28with handle 4. As shown in FIG. 11, bottom end 44 of motor shaft 28 alsodefines O-ring grooves 52 for receiving O-rings 50. A flange 56 isdefined annularly around motor shaft 28. In one embodiment, flange 56 isnarrowest at the top 80 and widest at the bottom 82, where it defines akey slot 84 (FIGS. 8, 9, 10) for receiving the protrusion 86 extendingoff open top end 26 of handle 4. This ensures that motor shaft 28 andhandle 4 are properly oriented together. Preferably, the protrusion 86is received in the key slot 84 but does not physically contact theinterior walls of key slot 84.

As shown in FIG. 10, motor shaft 28 has a raised ridge 83, extendingaxially along the length of motor shaft 28. The interior wall of brushshaft 12 may have a notch, extending axially along a portion of thelength of the brush shaft, to receive the raised ridge 83 of the motorshaft 28. The raised ridge and axial notch act to orient and guide brushshaft 12 into proper relative position as a user places brush shaft 12about motor shaft 28.

Since brush shaft 12 covers motor shaft 28, and in combination isattached as described above to handle 4, by keying motor shaft 28 tohandle 4 the proper orientation of toothbrush 2 with respect to handle 4is obtained. Protrusion 86 on handle 4 extends axially from side 88 ofhandle 4 where a thumb depression/on-off button 90 may be formed.

As mentioned above, a flange 56 is formed on motor shaft 28 above theinnermost O-ring 50. Flange 56 is contacted by bottom 33 of brush shaft12 (see FIG. 4). Flange 56 helps keep brush shaft 12 from being pushedtoo far out over motor shaft 28, and also helps keep motor shaft 28 frombeing pushed too far into handle housing 4.

Referring to FIG. 13, motor shaft 28 is retained within the handle 4 bya snap fit structure, which in one embodiment acts as an isolation joint18. The first end 44 of motor shaft 28 defines flexible separatedfingers 60 extending axially from the first end 44 of motor shaft 28.Each finger 60 defines an outwardly extending overhang 62 that extendsradially outwardly from outer surface 64 of motor shaft 28 as definedbetween the pair of O-rings 50. Overhang 62 creates a sloped surface 65on an outer circumferential surface 66 of first end 44 of motor shaft28. The inside diameter of handle housing 4 is slightly smaller than thediameter measured from overhang to overhang on diametrically opposedflexible fingers 60. Thus when motor shaft 28 is inserted into handlehousing 4, flexible fingers 60 are flexed inwardly to allow a portion ofmotor shaft 28 to pass into recess 22 in handle housing 4.

In one embodiment, the inner diameter of handle housing 4 abruptlyincreases to form a shoulder 68. When each of the overhangs 62 on therespective fingers 60 passes shoulder 68, the fingers 60 flex outwardlyto their natural positions. If motor shaft 28 is moved in a direction totry to extract it from handle housing 4, overhang 62 on each of theflexible fingers 60 engages shoulder 68 and thus retains motor shaft 28in handle housing 4. Overhang 62 is however not large enough towithstand any substantial force, and if a sufficient extraction force isapplied to motor shaft 28, the motor shaft can be withdrawn from handlehousing 4 since the extraction force could overcome the contact betweenoverhang 62 of shoulder 68 and thus force flexible fingers 60 to flexinwardly and allow motor shaft 28 to be extracted. Nonetheless, overhang62 and shoulder 68 do engage sufficiently to keep and retain motor shaft28 in handle housing 4 under normal use conditions. In one embodiment,overhang 62 on each flexible finger 60 acts as a side wall for theO-ring groove 52 formed at first end 44 of motor shaft 28.

Generally, with respect to the positioning of vibratory means 24 intoothbrush 2, in one embodiment vibratory means 24 is positioned closeto brush head 14, and possibly even in brush head 14, to maximize theeffect of the vibratory means's vibrating motion. As shown in FIG. 3,when the brush shaft 12 is positioned about motor shaft 28, thevibrating vibratory means 24 is positioned within brush shaft 12adjacent brush head 14. In one example, vibratory means 24 is positionedadjacent brush head 14, and not in brush head 14, so that there issufficient room in brush head 14 to position bristle tufts 16, as wellas needing to have a slim shaped brush head 14 for accessibility inone's mouth. However, as smaller vibratory means become available, itscontemplated that vibratory means 24 could be positioned inside brushhead 14 to efficiently drive brush head 14 as described herein. Forexample, a piezo-electric type of vibration motor may be positioned inbrush head 14.

In one embodiment, vibratory means 24 includes an eccentric motor whichrotates an off center weight attached thereto. One motor which may beused for creating the vibration is a Jinglong Co. model OTL-6CL orequivalent. The OTL-6CL model is generally a 1.3V DC motor. However, anymotor suitable for creating vibration that has a small enough size andcan be powered by a battery the size of an AA battery or the like couldbe used. Off-center weight motor 24 provides a magnitude of tip motion(approximately 0.02 inches in the x and y directions) for brushingpurposes, in one example.

In one embodiment, the vibrations generated by the vibratory meansselected may cause the brush head to vibrate in a substantially orbitalmotion. However, in other embodiments, the vibrations generated by thevibratory means selected may cause the brush head to vibrate in any typeof motion suitable for cleaning teeth including axial, horizontal,vertical, diagonal, and circular motions.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the isolation jointstructure 18 is formed at the connection point of the motor shaft endand the top open end of the handle. The bottom end 44 of the motor shaft28 is received within the top open end 26 of the handle 4 to form theisolation joint structure 18, in one embodiment. The isolation jointstructure 18 illustrated in FIG. 13 includes a pair of O-rings 50positioned at end 44 of motor shaft 28 and received inside open top end26 of handle 4. O-rings 50 are resilient and flexible, and thus allowmotor shaft 28 (and thus brush shaft 12) to move under the influence ofvibratory means in a relatively isolated manner, such motion beingrelatively independent of handle 4. The amount brush shaft 12 movesseparately from handle 4 depends on the resiliency and dampeningcharacteristics of isolation joint structure 18. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, isolation joint structure 18 includes an O-ring50 positioned within annular grove 52 of motor shaft 28, a second O-ring50 positioned within a second annular groove 52 spaced away from thefirst O-ring 50. The O-ring annular grooves 52 are formed in the wall 54of handle housing 4 to respectively receive the O-rings 50 on end 44 ofmotor shaft 28. The end 44 of motor shaft 28 having the O-rings 50 isinserted into handle housing 4, and the O-rings 50 are located in theirrespective grooves 52.

In FIG. 13, first end 44 of motor shaft 28 is shown received in top end26 of handle housing 4. Again, isolation joint structure 18 is formed bythe engagement of the O-rings 50 positioned on first end 44 of motorshaft 28 in the O-ring channels 52 formed in inner wall 54 of handlehousing 4. In one embodiment, motor shaft 28 does not physically contactdirectly handle housing 4, and is spaced away from handle housing 4 bythe O-rings 50. The isolation joint structurally isolates the brushshaft and motor shaft from the handle, meaning that there is no directconnection between the handle and those parts meant to vibrate. If theO-rings 50 are flexible and resilient, motor shaft 28 can move to someextent both in a vibrating manner (radially, circularly, or any othertype of movement caused by drive motor 24), and/or in somewhat of anaxial manner with respect to handle 4.

The purpose of isolation joint structure 18 is to reduce, modify,minimize, or attenuate the amount of vibration felt in handle 4 whenmotor 24 is vibrating in brush shaft 12 (or elsewhere) and causingbristles 16 to move. Isolation joint 18 between motor shaft 28 andhandle 4 can include several different vibration dampening andelimination structures. Any type of isolation joint 18 that accomplishesthis is contemplated by this invention, and could include a single ormultiple cylindrical bushings 70 spacing brush shaft 12 from handlehousing 4, such as that shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

In FIG. 14, brush shaft 12 is inserted in and retained in recess 22 ofhousing 4 by bushing 70 to form an isolation joint 18. It iscontemplated that the bushing will be constructed of a vibrationdampening material to absorb the vibration from the vibration means 24contained in the brush head 14 or brush shaft 12. The embodiment of FIG.14 will allow the brush shaft 12 and brush head 14 to vibrate relativelyindependently of the handle.

In another embodiment in FIG. 15, handle 4 is inserted in and retainedwithin brush shaft 12 by bushing 70 to form an isolation joint 18.Similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the bushing 70 isincluded to absorb the vibration from the vibration means 24 containedin the brush head 14 or brush shaft 12. Also, the vibration dampeningbushing 70 will allow the brush shaft 12 and brush head 14 to vibraterelatively independently of the handle 4. Although the circumference ofthe handle illustrated in FIG. 15 is substantially smaller than that ofthe brush shaft, it is contemplated that the circumference of the handle4 will expand along the length of the handle away from the bushing 70.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, isolation joint 18 couldbe a flexible section 72 positioned in brush head 14 or handle 4 so longas the flexible section 72 is positioned between and structurallyisolates motor 24 and handle 4. Flexible section 72 can be made out ofrubber, elastomer, or any kind of vibration dampening material suitablefor the purpose.

Referring to another embodiment in FIG. 17, the entire brush shaft 12(and motor shaft 28) could be made of a flexible material with motor 24mounted therein, with a section of brush shaft 12 (including motor shaft28) between motor 24 and handle 4 acting as the isolation joint 18.Flexible brush shaft 12 could be made of any type of elastomer or suchmaterial as would allow for flexible vibratory motion as a result ofmotor 24 (or other type of vibratory drive motor). The entire brushshaft 12 could be flexible or only sections thereof.

FIGS. 18-20 show the vibratory means 24 and isolation joint 18 locatedon various portions of a toothbrush. In FIG. 18, the vibratory means 24are located in brush head 14 and the isolation joint 18 is located atbase 40 of brush head 14. The design in FIG. 18 reduces the vibrationsof the vibratory means from transferring to the handle portion of thehousing.

In FIG. 18, a brush head 14 may be attached to brush shaft 12 with asnug fit on the top of shaft 12 and into the top 34 of recess 36 ofbrush head 14. A circumferential snap attachment feature 38circumferentially locates and axially retains the bottom 40 of brushhead 14 to shaft 12.

In FIG. 19, the vibratory means 24 are located in brush shaft 12 and theisolation joint 18 is located in brush shaft 12. The location of thevibratory means 24 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19 would affectthe amount of vibrations translated to both the handle and the bristles.The amount of vibration to the bristles would likely be less than thatin the FIG. 18 embodiment and the amount of vibration translated to thehandle may be slightly more than that in the FIG. 18 embodiment.

In FIG. 20, the vibratory means 24 are located in brush head 14 and theisolation joint 18 is located in brush shaft 12 towards handle 4. Inthis embodiment, the vibration will likely be maximized in the brushhead and bristles. However, the vibration felt in the handle may beslightly greater than in the embodiment of FIG. 18.

In addition to the embodiments described above, additional embodimentsincluding optional features are contemplated. Examples of such featuresare discussed in greater detail below.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, the connection leads 23 a,b areconnected from motor 24 to battery 10 through isolation joint 18. In oneembodiment, cylindrical bore 42 is formed through the center 76 of motorshaft 28 thus allowing the leads 74 to pass therethrough to motor 24. Inany of the other embodiments described herein, the passage of the leads74 therethrough would be equally simple.

In any of the above isolation joint structures 18, or any othercontemplated by this invention, the portion of toothbrush 2 whichincludes motor 24 (i.e., motor shaft 28/brush shaft 12) can move withrespect to the other portion of toothbrush 2 from which it is isolated.The movement of the motor-including portion can be in a twisting manner,a vibrating manner, an orbital manner, a rotational manner, or any othertype of motion helpful for cleaning teeth.

In one embodiment, the vibratory means 24 is positioned as close tobrush head 14 as possible. Such positioning helps, even without anisolation joint 18 between vibratory means 24 and handle 4, to moreefficiently drive brush head 14 and only residually drive handle 4. Inthis example, isolation joint 18 increases the effectiveness ofpositioning vibratory means 24 near or in brush head 14. When theplacement of vibratory means is as close to brush head 14 as possible,the location of isolation joint 18 need only be on the handle 4 side ofthe vibratory means placement. In other words, isolation joint 18 may belocated between vibratory means and handle 4. Thus, isolation joint 18could be closer to brush head 14 than to handle 4, in one embodiment.

The end cap may also include an on/off switch for actuating the device.FIGS. 21-23 show a combination switch and battery holder end cap 92 usedin one embodiment. The end cap combination 92 provides a sealedassembly, and includes two electrically non-conductive parts 122 and124. Part 124 may be secured into an interior portion of handle 132 atits end.

Electrically conductive parts 126 and top battery contact 130 areassembled into housing 124 which may be fixed in handle 132. Batterycarrier 122 holds lower contact strip 128 axially, but not rotationallyfixed, into housing 132. The limits of rotation of housing 132/batterycarrier 122 assembly are fixed by a radially protruding rib 140 that isreceived by a corresponding groove in housing 132. Similarly an axiallyprotruding bump 144 formed on a flexible portion of battery carrier 122is received by either of two corresponding grooves in housing 132. Eachof these grooves the rotational assembly (of 122 and 132) in one of twooperating positions. Bump 144 and the flexible portion of the areasurrounding bump 144 allows the assembly to “snap” from one operatingposition to the second operating position providing a positive tactileclick as battery carrier 122 is rotated. When this occurs the topcontact 126 is brought into physical and electrical contact with thebottom contact strip 128 which is in direct communication with a bottom(−) terminal of a battery. This action causes a complete electrical pathfrom a top (+) terminal of a battery to top contact 130 through motorwires 74 back through contact strips 126, 128 causing motor 24 tooperate.

A positive seal is achieved with O-ring 156 sealing between housing 132and the inside diameter of housing 132 which provides a drip prooffeature that prevents moisture from running down handle 132 andaccumulating or running into the internal cavity of the device.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment of a motor shaft cap 96, shown in FIGS. 4and 12. Motor shaft cap 96 is a plug for the open top end 46 of motorshaft 28 to encase the motor within the cavity 48 of the motor shaft 28.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, cap 96 includes a plug portion97 and an end cap 6 portion 99. Plug portion 97 extends into open end 46of motor shaft 28. Portion 99 is of a larger diameter than plug portion97, and cap 96 forms a fluid resistant seal to prevent fluids fromentering into cavity 48.

FIGS. 25-26 show a brush head cover 98 that snaps onto and off of brushshaft 12 to cover brush head 14. A front face 100 of brush head cover 98defines a plurality of holes 102 to allow air exposure and drainage ofany moisture trapped on brush head 14 when brush head cover 98 is puton. Brush head cover 98 has a main body 104 that encloses bristles 16when positioned on brush head 14 and has an attachment structure 106which defines a partially cylindrical collar 108 attached to rear 110 ofmain body 104. This partially cylindrical collar 108 has sloped walls112 to allow brush head 14 of toothbrush 2 to be initially placed intomain body 104 and then collar 108 snapped around the perimeter of brushshaft 12 to secure cover 98 onto brush shaft 12 in a releasable manner.The sidewalls 114 of collar 98 are biased outwardly and around brushshaft 12 to provide a secure attachment.

As shown in FIG. 27, at least one flossing element, as opposed to a setof bristles for use as a toothbrush, can be attached to the brush shaftor motor shaft for use in cleaning the interproximal spaces between auser's teeth.

All directional references used herein (e.g., upper, lower, upward,downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below,vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise, etc.) are onlyused for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding ofthe present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as tothe position, orientation, or use of the invention.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail orstructure may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

1. A flosser, comprising: a handle; a shaft operatively attached to thehandle; a flossing element operatively attached to the shaft; a motivesource comprising an off-center weight, the off-center weight at leastpartially located within the shaft; wherein the motive source isoperative to move the flossing element.
 2. The flosser of claim 1,wherein the flossing element is removably coupled to the shaft.
 3. Theflosser of claim 2, further comprising a securing structure formed onthe shaft, the securing structure accepting the flossing element.
 4. Theflosser of claim 1, the motive source further comprising: a motor; amotor shaft operatively attached to the motor and the off-center weight;wherein the motor shaft is at least partially located within the shaft.5. The flosser of claim 4, further comprising a power source locatedwithin the handle and attached to the motive source to supply powerthereto.
 6. The flosser of claim 1, further comprising an end capremovably attached to a first end of the handle, the end cap covering acavity formed by the handle and housing the power source.
 7. The flosserof claim 1, further comprising a vibration isolation means disposedbetween a portion of the motive source at least partially located withinthe shaft and the handle.
 8. The flosser of claim 7, wherein: theflossing element comprises a tip attached to the shaft; and theoff-center weight is positioned adjacent the tip.
 9. A flosser,comprising: a handle; a flosser shaft affixed to the handle; a flossingelement operatively attached to the shaft; a motive source comprising anoff-center weight and a motor; wherein the off-center weight is locatedwithin the shaft and operative to impart a motion to the flossingelement.
 10. The flosser of claim 9, further comprising a motor shaft atleast partially disposed within the flosser shaft, the motor shaftoperatively connecting the flossing element to the motor.
 11. Theflosser of claim 10, wherein: the off-center weight is operativelyattached to the motor and disposed adjacent the flossing element; andthe off-center weight induces vibrations in the flossing element toimpart the motion to the flossing element.
 12. The flosser of claim 9,further comprising a vibration isolation means disposed between aportion of the motive source at least partially located within the shaftand the handle.
 13. The flosser of claim 12, the vibration isolationmeans comprising an o-ring.
 14. The flosser of claim 13, wherein theo-ring is disposed between the motor shaft and flosser shaft.
 15. Theflosser of claim 9, further comprising a recessed area formed on thehandle, the recessed area comprising a control button to controloperation of the flosser.
 16. The flosser of claim 9, wherein theflosser shaft narrows as the flosser shaft extends away from the handle.17. A flosser, comprising: a handle; a flossing shaft operativelyattached to the handle; an attachment feature formed on the flossingshaft; a flossing element removably affixed to the flossing shaft bymeans of the attachment feature; a motor; an off-center weightoperatively attached to the motor and housed within the flossing shaft;wherein the motor rotates the off-center weight to produce a vibration,the vibration imparting a motion to the flossing element.
 18. Theflosser of claim 17, wherein the atttachment feature axially retains thebottom of the flossing element in the flosser shaft.
 19. The flosser ofclaim 17, further comprising a vibration damping structure reducing thetransfer of virations from the motor to the handle.
 20. The flosser ofclaim 19, wherein the vibration damping structure comprises an o-ring.